Casa Tamara &
Casa Serena

GUEST REVIEWS

Beyond My Expectations

Casa Serena was beautiful, the pictures do not serve justice to the actual home. Location was on the beach . Water was rock free and family friendly.Kichen had 2 of everything, martha steward pots and pans barbeque grill was spotless as were the utensils. A/C in the kitchen as well the rest of the house. New food market 2 minutes away along with local spots to eat out. Beach chairs were comfortable towels were thick and clean. Fruit trees on property just pick and enjoy. Walk on the beach for a few minutes for happy hour .pirates punch in a coconut 5 bucks .Location is spot on for everything, jet ski banana boats fishing all water sports. The house actually had water rafts and floats for our enjoyment..We have visited Rincon for 6 straight years and finally found our home Casa Serena/// CONS::: My wife insists on getting a new mattress the minute we arrived home.ok another 2 thousand dollars..just smile ....

John, New Jersey

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paradise!

My husband and I stayed at Casa Serena for our honeymoon and came back for our anniversary this past May. The house and beach were just as beautiful as we remembered. And there's AC in every room (that was an upgrade from the last time we stayed) and much appreciated! It's a great location and Rincon is a fun laid-back town! Lots to see and do (you'll want a car). The beach in particular is wonderful. You can wake up in the morning, make a cup of coffee and walk out onto an almost secluded beach. I would highly recommend this rental! We look forward to many more vacations here!

Loved Rincon Washington DC

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We Want To Go Back ASAP!!!!!!

To say that Nancy Renee's Casa Tamara vacation house on the beach in Rincon, Puerto Rico is an island of unforgettable relaxation and restful enjoyment would be an understatement!! The 6 adults (three couples)who spent over a week there in April found the local people to be very friendly and helpful(we got lost, ran into a local who knew where we were staying, and said, "follow me!!!" and we made it there!!)

The accommodations at Casa Tamara were more than ample. The spacious kitchen(with large eat-in area) was open to the living room which gave the appearance of openness and spaciousness. The three bedrooms, two with private bath, and the third bath in the hall worked well for the three couples. Air cnditioning? Such, but we did not need it! The ceiling
fans kept us cool, both day and night. The constant lapping of the ocean waves on the beach, which is a 10 second walk from the covered back porch/deck, calmed nerves and helped in the regeneration process. After all, isn't that what vacations are for???

And if you wanted to read your favorite book or two, please do; the covered porch/deck has a very large table on one side and a barbie on the other, making it excellent venue for eating in!! There is plenty to see in the area as well!! From the famed lighthouse where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic,
to the neat little restaurants, there is plenty to keep your mind off the office!!! Of course, nature's symphony was there as well, as could be attested to by the crowing of the roosters and the barking of the local doggies...but that made the lapping of the ocean waves on the beach just that much more welcomed!! Return? You betcha!! The three couples are
already planning their return visit to Casa Tamara next year.

So watch out roosters, you might end up on our barbie one night!!

Skipdel, Thomaston, Ct.

============================================

Just what we needed!

We just got back from PR last week and can't stop thinking about how fabulous it was. I got off our flight into DC and burst into

tears, we had such a good time.

The place was perfect for us (and our friends, who stayed in the villa next door). We all loved the proximity to the beach and

the surf was just right for the kids (ages 9, 8, 7 and 4). The big boys boogie-boarded and snorkeled, while the 4-year-old

loved playing on the sand for hours at a time. We really enjoyed being able to make all our meals at "home" and that

everything we needed was in walking distance. We also appreciated all the suggestions made in the binder the owner left

(and sent to us prior to our trip).

We can't wait to come back next year!

DC Family Travelers

====================================================================

Go to Rincon and Stay at Casa Tamara

We just got back from Casa Tamara (April 2010). It was the perfect location for us - two couples and our two teenaged daughters. The water was just the right temp - not too hot, not cold at all. We had the option to hang out on the beach or when the sun was too much we could hang in the backyard or the patio and still get the ocean breezes and hear the surf. My wife and her friend enjoyed getting fresh fruit and produce from the roadside stands and trying (and succeeding!) at making local cuisine in the well-equipped kitchen. I don't understand why there were not more people on the beach (not that I'm complaining, just wondering) - Rincon deserves more love from the travelling public than it is currently receiving. I generally don't tend to return to places I've been to, more because there are so many places I'd like to see, but Puerto Rico in general and Rincon in particular could well be exceptions. For what it is worth - we have recently been to Puerto Morales (south of Cancun) and to St. John V.I. and while those places had their merits, I much preferred the friendly laid-back vibe of Rincon.

Nancy is personable and professional as are her local caretakers.

D. Lighted Boston

=====================================================================================================

Wonderful time, wonderful place, wonderful value

My sister Connie, her husband Greg, and their two children invited me to join them on their vacation this year (3/27/10 to 4/7/10). All of us had vacationed on Vieques before but never on the main island of Puerto Rico.

What a delight to spend our vacation in such comfortable accomodations with the beautiful Caribbean at our doorstep. Our plan was to spend a week in Tamara and then, after Greg flew home, for Connie, the kids, and I to move down the beach to a hotel for our last several days of vacation. Nancy knew of our plans and when Serena unexpectedly became available after our stay at Tamara was over, she let us know it was ours if we were interested. We were!!

The kids, ages 4 and 6, schlepped the foodstuffs through the backyard from Tamara to Serena while Connie and I did the heavy lifting and we were resettled in less than an hour. Casa Serena, though smaller than Tamara, was just as nice in every way. The kids had a blast. The ocean waves were just big enough to thrill them and we celebrated my sister's son's birthday on the spacious, Tamara patio (complete with presents, cake, homemade decorations, and pizza (the birthday boy's dinner of choice). The kids were relieved that the Easter Bunny knew of their whereabouts and that he had hidden their Easter baskets in Casa Tamara and scattered Easter eggs in the back yard for them to find. If future renters happen to find any stray eggs, you'll know how they came to be there).

We had such a fun time in both casas - enjoying the tropical surroundings, beautiful beach and sunsets, great meals on the patio - my sister is a wonderful chef - and the peaceful surroundings. We shopped for groceries and inexpensive island clothing (some real bargains) in a little mall just 3 short blocks from the properties and had some great dinners out at The Rincon Inn and Rincon by the Seas. Had we stayed longer, I'd have many more fun adventures to report - Rincon has so much to offer. But our goal was relaxation and great times with the kids and we had both!

Your property caretakers, Hector and Gladys are lovely people. You're fortunate to have such dedicated employees.

Thanks for everything Nancy. You have two beautiful, well-managed places. We will enthusiastically recommend Casa Tamara and Casa Serena to others.

Greg, Connie, Elena, Max, and their Auntie Mae

============================================================================================

An Incredible Find!

An incredible find. Dealing with Nancy on line was a delight. The location was as stated. the pictures on line are accurate. Had been to Rincon a number of other times, but this clearly was the best lodging experience we've had. Will return yearly if possible. Rincon is a great experience, not a resort town, lots of locals, lots of ex-pats, great food, great beach. Bring books

RafeVisc, Minneapolis, MN
==========================================================================

One of my better vacations

Nancy, Super time at your place in Rincon. We enjoyed the house, the yard, the beach, the

location, the sun and sand, the rooster wake up, the shade trees and breeze when too hot (not

often.) Highly recommended. I might add that it is difficult to find a Puerto Rican who does not

speak English. Do not fail to visit a panaderia for b'fast or lunch for a quick, not fast food,

Puerto Rican meal. We'll do it again for sure.

Best regards,

PHIL

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

An Island Paradise

Casa Tamara was a real island paradise! It was incredibly spacious, comfortable, private, and right on the beach! The villa came equipped with everything one may need when traveling, it has a fabulous location for a beach and for going out, and the owner is incredibly sweet, helpful, and responsive to whatever questions one may have.

Thank you,

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For your Website:

Two friends joined my husband and me for a two-week stay at Casa Tamara in the downstairs apartment which was perfect for us—so comfortable and well-equipped. As two “older” couples we were not so interested in the big surf on the Atlantic side of Rincon so were delighted to find our Caribbean beach much calmer and delicious. Under the shade trees along the shore, we spent most mornings reading, swimming, and snoozing (no mosquitoes!!). Occasionally when the wind shifted (3 or 4 times during out stay), it whipped up the surf and we chose not to go in because of the strong tow.

We also explored some of the nearby beaches which were appealing but not as lovely as ours. We also ventured down to the tip of the southwest coast beyond Boqueron and the salt flats of Cabo Rojo (great birding) to an exquisite beach called Playa la Playeula.
A TIp: if you are planning a trip south of Rincon to Joyuda (with its terrific fish restaurants), Boqueron (with clam and oyster kiosks), or further on to Guanica , avoid the main highway #2 through Mayaguez by cutting over to the shore on Routes 102 and 100 and then east if you want on 101 and 116. Highway #2 is a horror of auto dealerships, malls, and slow traffick to Rincon and Casa Tamara.

Gladys and Hector were generally on hand with advice when we needed it. Gladys and a helper came by once a week for a thorough cleaning. There were plenty of towels and beach towels and an easy to use washer/dryer that we shared with the upstairs tenants. We tended to eat out for either lunch or dinner—and quickly settled on Shipwreck as our favorite restaurant. Flamboyant in Barrio Puntas was also very good as were some of the smaller typical Puerto Rican restaurants nearby. The beachside restaurants and bars (e.g., Tamboo and Calypso) tended to be filled with young people, surfers. We cooked for ourselves several times. We only discovered at the end of our stay the large attractive Edwards supermarket just at the end of Calle 14 in the mall across Route 115. We also found a fish supplier near the restaurants about 7 km on the right going north on 115 toward Highway 2. The villa kitchen is fully equipped (with some condiments and spices as well) and there is a grill outside on the villa’s roomy porch. We spent many a wonderful evening there with our drinks and dinner.

In fact, all four of us agree that our stay in Casa Tamara was a near perfect treat!

Nancy, Leo, Judy, Tician

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spectacular

Mom the planner
It can be a challenge planning a vacation for a family of 5 to a place never before visited. How do you find the perfect spot so everyone is happy with the physical accommodations, amenities, activities, and a quiet place to relax after a full day? We went to Puerto Rico in December 2009 with the intent of providing our 3 young adult sons with access to a world renowned surfing area. Of course, my husband and I had a hidden genda of rest, relaxation, and quality family time.

My decision to stay at Casa Tamara came with my very first phone call to Nancy Renee. She immediately answered the phone! She was the owner and I got to talk to her personally on my very first attempt at contact! No rental agent, no voice mail, no playing phone tag. I was so impressed with the time she spent with me, answering all questions, discussing what type of vacation we were planning, and explaining how Casa Tamara could meet our needs. She was in no rush to "book" us and was considerate of all my concerns. I felt I was talking to a close friend. I was sold. She is a real sweetheart who is truly interested in the pleasure of her guests.

We stayed at Casa Tamara upstairs. As soon as we entered the house, I knew I had made the right decision. Spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated in a tropical style, the house has a charm all its own. Large bedrooms, closet space to accommodate everything, comfy beds, lots of bath and beach towels, and a great kitchen fully equipped with everything we could need. There was lots of space to store the surfboards! Room to move! TV, Wi-Fi, telephone! A book library for casual reading! Two dining areas! And that precious "blue book" with hints, tips, and recommendations for everything in the area! Also, lots of garden furniture- hammock, lounge chairs, and beach chairs! The beach is steps away, with great swimming and gorgeous sunsets!

But the very best part of the house is that large front porch overlooking the ocean, with a dining area, lounge chairs, and a barbeque grill. It was tough for my family to decide whether to bother going out to eat or stay home in this magical place, grilling those fantastic local skirt steaks and veggies, making homemade salsa with local produce, then playing cards and games on the porch until the wee hours of the morning! Then get up in the morning and have breakfast and coffee on the great front porch! Open all windows and get the beautiful tropical breezes! Birds chirping and ocean sparkling! Nirvana!

Another very important feature of Casa Tamara is the endearing local caretakers, Gladys and her husband, who constantly checked to see if we needed anything at all. And Nancy Renee kept in contact by phone and email to ensure that all was well. When the big surf subsided we decided to go snorkeling, and Nancy recommended Steps Beach. We immediately took her advice and had an awesome day! Don't miss snorkeling at this site! Nancy is there to answer any and all questions should you not find what you're looking for in the house "blue book".
This family vacation was unusual for us because it was perfect!! (How many family vacation disasters have you had?) We came for the surfing but found that there is so much more to Rincon. The people are terrific and made us so welcome.

If you're looking for accommodations, stop here and look no where else. There's no place like Casa Tamara. I ache to return.

Sandy Pietrewicz-Mauldin
===============================================================================

A little piece of paradise.

Our family (two adults, three kids ages 9, 12, and 15) had a truly fabulous week at Casa Tamara!! Prior to our arrival, Nancy

provided us with a comprehensive packet of information about the villa, the town of Rincon and surrounding areas, and an

expansive list of places to eat, shop, and entertain ourselves. When we arrived, the villa had everything we could possibly

need, and was cozy, clean and comfortable. Although we did enjoy some local Puerto Rican cuisine, we made good use of our

kitchen and ate many meals there. This saved a little money for us, which we put to good use taking part in some fun island

activities (a deep sea fishing charter, a trip to the Phosphorescent Bay in La Parguara, and a Zip Lining Adventure were

favorites!). The beach by Casa Tamara was incredible - very clean/clear, with beautiful, soft white sand - and literally steps

outside of our door. The water was calm enough to swim, but did get enough waves that the kids could boogie board to their

heart's content! There were many times when we were the only ones in sight on the beach. The location of Rincon and this

rental were ideal for us. We enjoyed the quiet and relaxing surroundings of the villa, but were within easy driving distance of

more things than we could possibly find time to do!

We have vacationed annually for many years - from luxury trips to tent camping - and our week in Puerto Rico at Casa

Tamara provided just the right mix of relaxation and adventure. It is definitely a favorite destination for our family!

Kari G,

==========================================================================
Dear Nancy,

We had heard about the beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico from friends who vacation on the island every year. After a little research of many of the more desirable beach towns we settled on Rincon, a small surfing town on the island’s northwest coast. We had no desire for a busy, noisy tourist trap so we were very happy to find Rincon to be the laid-back, authentically Puerto Rican town we imagined. The home at Casa Tamara, with its beautiful, natural tropical landscape, footsteps from a practically empty beach, put us immediately into vacation bliss. The location was everything we were looking for… walks on the beach, snorkeling in the warm clear waters, short walks / rides to great food and spirits, and a good base camp for attractions we were interested in on the northern and southern coasts. What a nice, comfortable, well managed home! We have found our winter getaway!

Thank you
=============================================================================================

Your Home Away From Home

Casa Tamara is your home away from home. The only thing that sets it apart is that your backyard is the ocean! The house was neat well kept and the beachfront was awesome. This house is a great place to stay for a great time in Puerto Rico. The bedrooms were air-conditioned and the extra bathrooms are the best for the family. It is close to the major roads and away from the headaches of the major cities. Everything is within a short distance, from food to stores to gas. A place that was enjoyed and loved and it is true, you DO NOT want to leave and looking forward for next year to come again!

Thanks, Eddie

==========================================================================================

Dear Nancy,

Thanks for the follow up. Our time in Rincon was fantastic and your home and property are so lovely (great kitchen!!). It was extremely comfortable and really felt like home. Loved the neighborhood, the town and surrounding area, just what I was hoping it to be. Laid back and hardly ever anyone on the beach, amazing. I'm so glad I was able to make this connection with you and will certainly recommend your place to the right people I know would appreciate it as much as Charlie and I. Still adjusting back into NYC, always a bit of a shock to the system after paradise, yes? I want to go back to Puerto Rico now, please.....

Thanks again for doing it just right. Casa Serena was a wonderful find and you are a most thoughtful host. We'll be in touch.

All best to you.

John Williams

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy,
We stayed at Casa Serena for a week and have just arrived home. We had four day trips planned but only took
one to go sailing. Everything we needed was right there at the house. The beach was great for swimming and
snorkeling, the yard shaded enough to enjoy the views all day, my daughter spent most of her time in the
hammock reading and listening to music. We grilled out most nights and the kitchen was well equipped to serve
all of our needs. This was one of the most relaxing vacations we have ever taken. Thank you for sharing your
home with us.

Sandi Garvin

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PERFECT FOR LITTLE KIDS

We stayed in one of the units at Casa Serena. Me, my wife, and our two kids who are six and ten. We
had a blast! The place was very comfortable, and with the terrazzo floors, easy to keep clean of sand
and dirt.

We used the kitchen to prepare breakfast and lunch most days, and went out to dinner at night. There
were plenty of choices around town. And the Econo supermarket is right down the street!

The beds were very comfortable and the furnishings in the living / dining area were very functional.
There was a nice collection of books and games to play with too.

The beach right outside the back door is paradise. It looks as good in real life as in the photo on the
web site. It was perfect for little kids - waves enough for a thrill but actually pretty tame. (We were there
in August - it might be more "energetic" in surfing season.) At night you could see a million stars.

We visited other beaches in the area but truthfully, this one was our favorite!

We would not hesitate to return to Rincon or to Casa Serena!

John and Kathy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tropical paradise -- with kids

Vacationer with kids

We had a wonderful vacation in Rincon, in part because Casa Serena was perfect for our two young boys (age 5 and 7). They were able to roll out of bed each morning and find their way to the beautiful garden and beach -- securely and completely at their own pace. Our children played in the surf, built castles in the sand and forts in the garden, watched crabs scurry endlessly about, climbed the almond tree, and rollicked in the hammock. As the beach outside was perfect for strolling and swimming, and nearby beaches (minutes away by car) perfect for surfing and shelling, my husband and I had plenty to do, as well.

We were surprised to find that the beach in front of Casa Serena was great for swimming, surfing and snorkeling, since it is rare to find such qualities in a single beach. Perhaps because we were visiting in April, the tail end of the surfing season, water visibility was average. However, there is a low shelf of rock coral at the shoreline which harbors beautiful and abundant marine life (we saw an octopus while snorkeling) in relatively shallow water. This shelf also serves as a terrific base for body surfing/boogie boarding. Boogie boards and kayaks can be rented from Villa Cofresi, a short walk down the beach. Villa Cofresi is a good place to visit if you want a roped-off swimming area -- and more of a social scene.

Casa Serena's beach-side garden is what makes it a unique Caribbean vacation home. The palm and fruit tree-filled garden, together with the beautiful, mature almond tree on the beach provided us the perfect respite from sun and surf.

It was a pleasure meeting Gladys, the housekeeper and her husband, Hector, who were extremely kind and helpful. I enjoyed chatting with them about local culture and tropical plants. We were especially touched by their thoughtfulness in bringing us an assortment of fruits (coconut, starfruit, sapodilla!) from their own garden, as they knew we were passionate about tropical and exotic fruits.

Yes, the beach is beautiful and the sunsets are spectacular. But most importantly, the unique amenities of Casa Serena allowed us to enjoy a truly relaxing tropical vacation with our kids.
Thank you for sharing your slice of paradise, we look forward to visiting again.

Lisa and Paul

========================================================================================

Dear Nancy
We have just returned from a great week on Rincon. Before the glow...and the tan...fades I want to tell you that Casa Tamara was exactly what we were looking for and exactly as you described. We were looking for a quiet week in a comfortable house only steps from the beach and that is just what we found. Perfect. The house was comfortable, spacious, well equipped and could not have been better located. Rincon is low key and funky. In short. Great weather. Great location. Great house. Great week.
Steve
==========================================================================================

Nancy,
We had a fabulous time! The view from Casa Serena was great. We especially enjoyed being able to hang out at the beach any time of the day.
Thank you for letting us stay in your home.
Audra
====================================================================
Nancy,

So sorry for not writing sooner! I look at the photos from our Casa Tamara vacation almost everyday and that was 4 months ago! We absolutely loved our stay! The house was perfect (we stayed downstairs) for my husband and I, our two toddlers, and my mother and her sister. We are a diabetic family and that makes hotel stay a little tricky. Restaurants
are not necessarily equipped for our dietary requirements, however staying in a home with a great full kitchen and a grocery store within walking distance worked perfectly for us!

We did a little shopping for the week at a SAMS Club on our way to Rincon from SJU. Beyond that we found everything we needed at the store at the end of the street (la familia?) It had just opened when we were visiting and we were
treated like royalty by the owners (Jose Luis) and workers there, they were so sweet! They also had lived in CT and RI, so we were practically neighbors at some point in time :)

My husband and I lived on Maui in 2003 and there is a lot of talk about the "aloha spirit" of Hawaiian islands. We found that the locals in Rincon and PR in general had more "aloha spirit" than a lot of Hawaii. We are hoping to make PR our new escape spot, as the 14 hour flight to HI is less than desirable with children! Staying in a house that came with a portacrib, high chair and baby gates meant less to travel with. I didn't have to pack any extra bulk to accommodate our one year old and that was really nice. To be able to sit on the porch, looking at and listening to the waves while my kids played in a fenced in yard was very relaxing, which doesn't happen often for me these days!

A highlight for our daughter was the outdoor shower, we all really appreciated it, but she squealed with delight every time we went in to wash off the salt water. It was so cute. She also spent a lot of time sitting in a dishpan of water that we had set up to dip our sandy feet in! :)

The beach was beautiful and the last weeks of September it was all ours! It was completely empty! The waves at the time were warm and soft and we spent hours and hours splashing and playing. Everything we needed- beach towels, chairs, sand toys were there. It was so nice. It was low season, so the town was sleepy, but adorable. Hector was very kind and checked in with us often which was nice. He brought us star fruit and papaya from his own trees and we also enjoyed coconuts from the property and avocado that landed in Tamara's yard from the neighbors tree! Delicious!

I guess I could go on forever about how much we enjoyed our stay, but what really says what a quality home you provided for us while we were there is that we can't wait to come back. We talk all of the time about coming back and bringing more family, renting out the upstairs and the other house and making a big family vacation/ reunion out of it. We loved it that much!

I attached a collage of some pictures of us enjoying your home!
Thanks so much!

Leslie, Eric, Gabe and Klara
==================================================================================

Dear Nancy,

     Just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed Casa Tamara. It was the perfect setting for our dream vacation. Everything in the apartment was more than adequate - so clean, spacious, and nicely furnished. We had everything we needed - plus!

We will never forget the view, pounding surf, coquies and tropical landscape. What a beautiful island.

     We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our two week stay. Thank you so much for everything. It was a 5 star experience!

     It was a pleasure working with you on reservations et al and please tell Gladys "Thank You" also. She was so helpful and nice!

Sincerely,

Richard and Mary Mcilroy

=====================================================================

Nancy,

We had a great Thanksgiving Holiday at Casa Serena. My family will always remember having Thanksgiving dinner, sitting outside, by the beach.

Everything was perfect, I can't think of anything that can be improved. The house is so well equipped, at a great beach, conveniently located.

We will definitely contact you for future stays in Rincon.

Thank you,

Helga

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For your Website:

Casa Tamara was a real island paradise! It was incredibly spacious, comfortable, private, and right on the beach! The villa came equipped with everything one may need when traveling, it a fabulous location for a beach and for going out, and the owner is incredibly sweet, helpful, and responsive to whatever questions one may have.

M.B.

==================================================================

Dear Nancy,

As soon as we entered the light streamed second floor, three bedroom apartment,of Casa Tamara, with comfortable furniture, colorful bedspreads and posters, we felt right at home!!! The beach was steps away from our terrace, where we ate all of our "in home" meals for the week. We picked fresh fruits from the tree, a combination of a sweet and sour leechee fruit, and peeled coconuts that fell to the ground. I almost collided with a pelican one rough seas day, following Hurricane Bill, right on the shore line. Casa Tamara is private with a front yard basically on the beach, with hammocks at hand for reading, and lounge chairs on the grass.

Snorkeling along the reefs in front of Casa Tamara, was great, only beaten by the Steps beach coral reef!!Turquoise, clear waters, clean soft sand, gorgeous spacious apartment, and attentive care givers - our description of a divine vacation!!

On a small personal note, when we could not locate a faint "beeping" noise in the apartment, we called Gladys and Hector, the two lovely caretakers we met shortly after our arrival, and Hector came over immediately. After disconnecting all the electric appliances, like microwave, my daughter noticed that the beep was coming from my own pocketbook. The culprit was my cell phone which of course worked in the house!!! Hector had brought some star fruit for us to taste and another exotic fruit, so at least our nuisance noise had a friendly effect on all of us.

A home away from home, with lots of restaurants within a few miles, the sound of the surf lulling us to sleep, and all the conveniences of computer, cell phone and dvd access are my idea of a great vacation!!!

Susan

New York, NY

=========================================================================================

For the Website:

My wife and I recently rented Casa Tamara from July 21 - August 1, 2009. Since this was our very first long term visit to Rincon, we opted not to stay at one of the local hotels but rather experience Rincon's way of life through the eyes of local residents. This said, as any visitor to a new place there is some trepidation as to where exactly we should 'call home' for a two week period. Thank god for the internet. After doing some searches using our best friend 'Google' - we came across some very positive reviews for the Casa Tamara.   Of specific note was the fact that the person we would be dealing with directly was the owner of the property and more so the property had been in her family for many many years. This told us many things, First, there must be something special about Rincon when despite the big real estate bubble the owner, Nancy Renee, only retained ownership. Also we knew that the owner would ensure that the property was maintained and would enhanced fit or the comfort of future guests. Our assumptions proved to be correct when we saw that it was evident throughout the inside and outside of the property that there truly existed a pride in ownership. From the decor. to the
quality of all the fixtures and accessories we could see that Nancy was maintaining the property to a high standard suitable as if he herself would be living there year-round.

We also found Nancy to always be accessible to answer any question - not only about the property but about Rincon and the "Porta de Sol" area of Puerto Rico. My wife and I have travelled many places around the Caribbean and abroad but I must say with all honesty the attention we received from Nancy was second to none. She answered every question we had. Provided some useful tips. And after many of our conversations we genuinely felt that we were conversing not with a stranger but a family member who had our best interest at heart and who was opening her home for us to stay with.

As soon as you step foot onto the property, looked out over the terrace, and saw the palm trees, the golden beach sand, the turquoise blue Caribbean , and Despecho Island at a distance we were mesmerized and captivated. Not only are the views gorgeous (and wait until sunset) but it is literally in your backyard. Breathtaking to say the least...

Once inside Casa Tamara you will find all the conveniences of home. A kitchen with all the necessary appliances and utensils. A comfortable living room. Clean and well maintained bathrooms. Large bedrooms with very comfortable beds. Satellite TV and internet access. A BBQ grille, washer and dryer in the lower level, beach chairs, and so many other amenities that you would be hard pressed to find even at the most luxurious hotels in the surrounding areas. As they say in the real estate world - location, location., location... Casa Tamra is centrally located within Rincon. Not only does it sit on what I consider to be the nicest beaches of Rincon (Paya Corcerga) but it is also very close to stores, restaurants, supermarket and the town proper.

For those of you who may read this review I want to assure that I have no affiliation with Nancy Renee or Casa Tamara. Outside of being a recent guest all I can say is that you will love the quaintness of the small town of Rincon, the gorgeous beaches (whether you are a surfer or not) and the somewhat laid back / relaxing atmosphere of Rincon.

So in summary if your travels bring you to Puerto Rico and particularly to the Rincon are, I can assure your that you can't go
wrong by staying at Casa Tamara.

All the best.

C.P.

================================================================================================

Dear Nancy,

    I apologize for not writing sooner, but my schedule upon return from vacation has been very hectic. As a matter of fact, it has only been the recollection of your beautiful home, the white sand beaches of Rincon and the magnificent vistas from the hills above which have kept work from being totally unbearable. All agreed that our stay in Puerto Rico was everything we had hoped.

    The group, to a person, was thrilled upon arrival at your home. Never having stayed there before, I was conservative in my representations to the other travelers about our accommodations (although I was secretly confident that we had stumbled upon a gem). It was therefore wonderful for me to see the wide-eyed looks of amazement cross the faces of my comrades as we walked up the stairs of your home, into the spacious living-room, and out onto the balcony which beckoned us to come for a view of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

    With your home as a convenient base, we surfed, fished, snorkeled, golfed, swam and dined out with pleasure for our entire stay, all the while fascinated to be in the middle of culture so different from our own, yet so inviting. We rode giant waves at some of Rincon’s legendary surfing beaches, including Domes, Maria’s and Dog Man’s to name a few, and enjoyed going up to El Coqie for lunch and billiards after a tiring surf session. We also had a day out fishing and were able to bring home Grouper and Barracuda for dinner. Despite the many stories which would accompany us home, our departure was truly heartbreaking.

    We thank you for your trust as we made arrangements, your helpful recommendations and particularly for your hospitality as your presence could be felt through the many personal touches which live in your home for all to enjoy.

    Best regards, and I look forward to the possibility of staying at your home again next year.

                                     Sincerely,

                                      A.H.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THE HOUSE WAS ABOSOLUTLY MAGICAL!! WE COULD NOT NOT HAVE WISHED FOR ANYTHING
BETTER. Keep it the way it is, we'll definatly be back at some point.
Thanks for letting us stay in your home,

Take Care,

Diane and Daniel.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy - To your guests,

We're headed back to Casa Serena for our third visit next winter. The reasons we return are many --
beautiful beach located right outside your door, gorgeous sunsets, lovely town of Rincon, etc... Last year
we celebrated Easter at the church on the downtown square with hundreds of locals and visitors like us.
Puerto Rico (Rincon in particular) is a great place for families. Try a day trip to a place called Gilligan's
Island. While the name makes it sound cheezy, it's anything but. It's a gorgeous natural cove on the south
coast about 90 minutes from Rincon. Casa Serena is clean, impeccably maintained and always comfortable,
and my dealings with Nancy have been nothing but a pleasure. Hurry though. The Rincon secret is out.

The Prials (Dunstan, Amy, Gilly and Clay)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy ,

We love Rincon and we love Casa Tamara. This is our 15th year at the house and we've increased our time from one week the first year to three weeks over the last several years. We hope to stay longer next year. The house is right on a beautiful stretch of beach with a lovely, partly shaded front lawn. There are a few trees on the beach for shade. The water in front of the house is sometimes calm and sometimes has waves. For a totally calm Caribbean beach one can go 10 minutes south to Anasco and swim at the beautiful beach there. For heavy surf, one can go 10 minutes north to the surfing beach (we love to goand watch even though we don't surf).

The house itself is two stories and we've loved both floors for different reasons. When our grandchildren were young (they come with us every year with their parents and they say it is one of their best weeks of the year) the downstairs was more convenient. Now that they are teenagers a table and chairs and several lounges. We spend alot of our time on the porch when we are not down at the beach. There is a large open living room, dining area and kitchen area and three large bedrooms. The downstairs has 3 bathrooms and the upstairs has only 2 bathrooms. The house is fully equipped and there is a grill on the porch. I do quite alot of cooking and there is good shopping available. There are also several lovely restaurants with good food nearby.

It is a very informal community and shorts are fine at any restaurant (except the upscale "Horned Dorset"). Gladys, who manages the house, is fabulous and very responsive to any needs or requests. Her husband Hector is great at fixing things when needed. And, Nancy, who owns the house, has always been terrific in responding to suggestions. The house is situated in a community of homes owned largely by Puerto Ricans. Neighbors are warm and welcoming. On the porch, one only hears the sounds of the surf but in the back of the house you at times hear the neighborhood sounds of roosters or weekend salsa. All in all this is a great house in a great area with a magnificent beach right in front of you.

Vivian,
Brookly, NY

=================================-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nancy,

We had an excellent stay at Casa Tamara. The accomadations were great and the beach was literally "right there".This was our first trip to Puerto Rico and we throughly enjoyed it. We explored the rain forest, went to the caves, kayaked the bio bay, and snorkled Steps Beach. But the best part was the down time spent right at our own beach.The natives are extremely friendly although they drive worst than Bostonians which I didn't believe possibly !!Rincon is a great place and Casa Tamara a gem for a nice family vacation.

We will be back

Greg

=====================================================================================================================

Dear Nancy,

Our time in Rincon was fantastic and your home and property are so lovely (great kitchen!!). It was extremely comfortable and really felt like home. Loved the neighborhood, the town and surrounding area, just what I was hoping it to be. Laid back and hardly ever anyone on the beach, amazing. I'm so glad I was able to make this connection with you and will certainly recommend your place to the right people I know would appreciate it as much as Charlie and I. Still adjusting back into NYC, always a bit of a shock to the system after paradise, yes? I want to go back to Puerto Rico now, please.....

Thanks again for doing it just right. Casa Serena was a wonderful find and you are a most thoughtful host. We'll be in touch.

All best to you.

John Wills

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Hideaways,

My wife and I have recently returned from Rincon, Puerto Rico where we stayed at one of the houses seen in your Hideaway’s Guide and I must say were delighted. (Casa Tamara Villa)

The house sits only 40 feet from the ocean and accommodates two families easily with up and downstairs living quarters. We occupied the upstairs. The place was neat and clean and very well appointed.

We found three large bedrooms, two full baths, fully equipped kitchen, large sitting room with a large balcony for us to watch the sun set directly in front of us each afternoon. Because the ceilings are 12 feet tall and because there are windows everywhere, you have a sense of spaciousness and openness. A family of six would have no feelings of being cramped. There is a washer and dryer on site which is always a plus when traveling. Also provided, were both beach chairs and towels, well prepared, accurate and helpful lists of restaurants and local sites. Everything we needed for a carefree vacation was there for us.

Our stay in Rincon was a great one and we appreciate your guide in helping us find the right house and we thank the owner for her generosity and thoroughness in providing great accommodations.

Sincerely,

J.D.F.
President
J.D.F. and Associate, Inc.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Mrs. Renee,

The Casa Serena is even prettier than the pictures and it was spotlessly clean. I took a lot of pictures of the beautiful flowers and trees in the surrounding garden. We had breakfast on the patio every morning, walked the beach and spent the rest of the day sight seeing.

Sincerely,
S.M.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy,

          I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for availing your beautiful and comfortable home to us on such short notice. My family and I truly enjoyed the relaxing week we spent snorkeling, jet-skiing, fishing, sight-seeing, but most of all, watching the absolutely magnificent sunsets from the balcony. The bedrooms were comfortable with ample room for us and the kitchen was well equipped.

          I have recommended Casa Tamara to all my friends. When we visit Rincon again, we will be sure to stay at Casa Tamara. Thanks again for a memorable vacation stay.

                                                                   Sincerely yours,

                                                                   MaryJane Colón

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For your website,

We have been to Casa Serena three times and we have had a great experience each and every time. First, Rincon is just big enough to have fun options for entertainment: Jet Skiing, Parasailing, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Disco, Gambling, Fishing, Sunset Cruises, Horseback riding, etc and yet is small enough that it is quiet and peaceful on the beach. Each time we go we have massages right on the patio, while listening to the surf. Food selection is great, from fast food, to take-out, to elegant dine-in.

The accommodations are clean, well-kept and right on the beach!!! It is great to get up in the morning (to the roosters crowing!!)and walk out to the sea and watch the day start. As the house faces the west on the sea-side, sunsets are the best!! While on the beach you are never crowded. It is great to be able to go from beach to house and back again simply to re-freshen your drink!!

I highly recommend Casa Serena for a great vacation. We also toured Casa Tamara and that's great too!! Both are great places to stay and one can not help but have fun!!

Ricky
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Ms. Renee:

We wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay in Casa Tamara in Rincon.

We had hopes of a quiet, restful week and that is exactly what we found. Our most pressing decision was the question of where to go for dinner.

The beach was terrific, not to mention so close, and the weather delightful. We were happy to find that the people staying at your other residences were lovely and, as they had stayed there before, were a great source of information about the area. Our accommodations were more than just adequate, they were very “homey” and the household items were exactly what we needed!

We would recommend a vacation in Rincon to anyone looking for a great “get-away.”

Sincerely,
S.L.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy,

Swimming in warm waters, walking along the fine sand beach, dinner on the veranda, spectacular sunsets to
end perfect days at Casa Tamara, and with all the comforts of home—Rincon; a surfing center, restaurants from
simple to haute cuisine, a supermarket a few blocks down the road, day trips into the interior rain forest or along thecoast—what more could you ask for of a Caribbean vacation?

JK

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy,

We had a wonderful vacation and came home very relaxed! We went snorkeling out to Descheo with Taino Divers...loads of fun! Also, drove to Cabo Rojo and up in to the mountains. Had a few games of pool down the beach, lots of swimming and sunning! The house was very comfortable for all 4 of us...couldn't figure out the AC unit in the living area the first night, after that worked beautifully.

Thanks so much for all of the information, we used many of the suggestions for shopping and dining out guides. We did find the driving in Puerto Rico in general to be challenging but figured out the rules after a few days...actually there are few rules!!!

We miss the sound of the crashing waves and the beautiful sunsets...also had some very cool thunder storms out over the ocean at night. I would definitely recommend Casa Serena to others!

Thanks again,

.Brian, Linda, Valerie and Corinne

==================================================================================================

Dear Nancy:

I just wanted to send you this email ( which you can use on your website's guestbook if you like) to thank
you for providing us with an opportunity to stay in such a lovely beautiful place, as Casa Serena. The
house and the scenery were beyond of our expectations. We loved everything about it. The decor, the
closeness of the ocean and the nice beach, the beautiful trees in the garden, our lovely neighbours, beautiful sunsets and the sea breeze. The pictures do not do your homes justice. One has to stay in those homes
and be able to see everything for themselves. We did and we will recommend your places to everyone
of our friends and family. We really felt at home in such a tranquil beautiful environment. It is quite a
possibility that next year we will rent your bigger house as there will be more of us.

We also wanted to let you know that we were very impressed by your manager. She was always available
and was able to fulfill any of our little requests in a very timely manner. She is a very nice lovely lady and
we enjoyed meeting her.

Take care and I will be in touch for bookings for next year.

Thank you again for everything

Sincerely
Natasha

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Nancy:

We had a great time. The weather cooperated, the beach was beautiful, and your managers were as nice as they could be. We hope to enjoy your hospitality again.

Dale

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy,

On behalf of my husband, Angel, my daughter, Angela, our friend, Ernie, and myself, we experienced what was the best, most relaxing vacation we've ever had. My husband caught the biggest fish he ever caught on Tuesday when he chartered a boat for a half day and was in his glory (actually, he still is). My daughter rode a waverunner, collected sea shells, snorkeled. We all participated in basking in the sun, going for walks, and thoroughly enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Puerto Rico. We went sightseeing, visited El Faro Lighthouse, the Juan A Rivero Zoo in Mayaguez, the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Museum, and the Mayaguez Mall.

Rincon is a beautiful place and will definitely be a repeat vacation spot for us. Ernie, who has vacationed in the Bahamas for over 20 years, is now hooked on Puerto Rico. We truly had a terrific vacation!

Thank you so much,

MaryJane

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy,

I planned on writing to you as soon as we got home, but time has a way of
slipping by so quickly. We had a fantastic time at Casa Serena. I don't
think it could have been any more perfect. Gladys had the supplies we asked
for waiting for us and she came by on Sunday to make sure everything was ok.
It was very nice of your mother to stop by as well. She brought us some fresh Puerto Rican bread and information about some area shops, etc. We talk about
our vacation to anyone and everyone who will listen. We tell them that we
didn't see much of the island because we didn't want to leave our perfect
spot - Casa Serena. The apartment was clean and comfortable. We spent most
of the time outside of course. There were plenty of chairs for the patio,
yard and beach. The water was wonderful. My husband and grandson were happy
with the snorkeling right in front of the house, so they didn't bother to go
on a charter trip.

We only ventured away from Casa Serena one day and we wished we hadn't. We
went all the way to a beach past the salt flats at the Cabo Rojo lighthouse
and although the view was spectacular at the lighthouse, the beach & water
were not nearly as clean and enjoyable as right outside our door at Casa
Serena.
Oh and the sunsets!!!!! We have loads of pictures, but they don't capture the real beauty. When we left early Saturday morning, the moon was shining on the water. That was beautiful too and made it that much harder to leave.
It's not easy to find a vacation spot that our whole family loves. My grandson wants to move to PR. It was his favorite vacation, even topping Disney World!

We found the maps and information about stores and resturants to be helpful.
Your directions were accurate and easy to follow. I also liked the lock-box system for the key. We used it every time we went out of the yard, even on the beach. That way anyone of us could get in the house when we needed to.

Thank you so much for everything. The entire process from finding your web
site to spending the week at Casa Serena was a wonderful experience. I hope
to be able to do it again in a year or two. I'll be in touch!

Thanks again, Judy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hello Nancy,

My family and I had an wonderful time at Casa Tamara. Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere was unbelievable. We did not
want to leave. We will be planning our next vacation and would not think of any better place to stay than Casa Tamara.

Warmest Regards,
Don Morales and Family

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Nancy,

Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had in Puerto Rico!
The week went by too fast. I think our favorite thing was the snorkeling at
Steps Beach and our dinner atop the mountain at La Cima Sunset……and drives
through the forests, and the hike in the rainforest complete with a dip in a
pool at the foot of a tumbling waterfall, the sweet song of the coqui, the empanadillas (the fish and lobster ones in particular!), the caverns and observatory, dinner in Old San Juan complete with belly dancer, mornings on
the beach with a cup of tea, evenings on the beach with a glass of wine…..ok,
we had a lot of favorites! We were all exhausted when we arrived home…..in
a good way. J My oldest son, who is skilled in video editing, put together a
slide show on DVD of our photos. What magical memories we have now! The house
was so nice and had everything we needed. It was a beautiful oasis of our own
from which we could explore the island. Thanks for all your help in making our vacation a success!

Best Regards,

BTW…..where did you get the bedcovers? I loved them!

Rosemary

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nancy Renee
260 W. 72 St. #6A
New York, NY 10023
212-496-7098
800-556-9877
Nancy@RinconVillas.com