Pleasant Forest Shores cottages on Cape Cod
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom cottages & efficiency apartment - Weekly rentals - South Chatham, MA (Cape Cod)
Want a one, two or three bedroom Cape Cod cottage rental (in Chatham) that is still easily affordable?
Can you live just a bit simpler for a week or more to do so? Then this may be the place for YOU!
It's classic Swedish ''Stuga'' country charm, but budget priced, leaving you money for eating out and fun!
And this year, that's even more important than ever...as discount prices are the standard here!
See the Pricing and Availability page for 2009 rates, and CURRENT schedule.
Thanks for a reasonably successful 2009 season!
Some post-season rental options are available until first week of October.
Bookings for 2010 should begin around mid-February or thereabouts.
Please contact me until then to get on waiting list.
My parents were Swedish so it's a tribute to them!
My parents, Conrad & Ruth Hallgren, built this cottage colony in the early thru mid 1950's. After Conrad's passing in 1964, Ruth managed them until her death on June 1st of 2002. It is one of the few colonies that remains in the same family for a second generation.
Yes, believe it or not, painting the fence still remains on the "to do" list! It's been that way for some years, and after part of fence was broken when new septic installed, one lantern is "off-line". However, the cottages have all been painted in last 10-15 yrs or so, and a large number of windows have been totally overhauled in last few years, plus a number of other repairs/enhancements were made recently so the fence constantly stays at bottom of fix-it list. Besides, which is more critical? Most agree the cottages are! This photo taken in Sept 2002.
Stay once...you'll want to return for decades as some customers have done before! Two customers are now on their FOURTH generation since the 70's! Here are the reasons why:
- The cottages are located on a quiet street in a maintained natural scrub pine and oak setting of about 2 acres with less than 5 min walk to two town beaches...
- They are generously spaced for privacy with average of 50 feet between units and average 30 feet from driveway...
- Units are very spacious compared to other colonies in the area...about 550 sq ft (approx 28' x 20') for two bedroom unit not including the screened porches averaging 90 sq ft...Three bedroom units are around 1000 sq ft average...see Unit Info page for details)
- The cottages are unique in the style and quality of construction...based on Swedish "Stuga" design...Conrad, who built them, was a professional cabinet maker so woodworking details are superb...Ruth, who helped build, but also painted, wall-papered and furnished them, made sure each one has a custom look...all rooms have a unique look and feel!
- They are furnished in the style of the 1950-60's but many units have had some/all new bedding and/or refrigerators and/or carpets installed since 2002...
- They are kept in a very clean condition...thanks to the non-smoking tenants who respect the work of my parents...and is part of reason for the low rates...and I attempt, as best I can given my visual handicap, to completely check all aspects at turnover time...
Starting in 2008, and strictly due to owner's vision status, the use of a designated cleaning service (Laiza's) became mandatory in almost all cases. See Rental Policies for details. However, the extra cost to a tenant may be negotiated on an individual basis in some rare cases. - But most of all, due to unique pricing structure, it's very affordable! They are still averaging about 20% less than what the original rates from the 1950's were after adjusting to 2008 dollars using CPI tables. The maximum weekly rent (for available units) for 2009 is only $768! Not like other high-priced but lower-quality ones! My mother believed in making it possible for everyone to enjoy a vacation, and I am trying to continue the tradition. Units are priced based on two people (BASE RATE) with additional adults/children at a low ($6 or less) daily rate. This allows a couple to rent a larger unit, have guests for a night or two, and yet keep costs to a minimum.
- Starting in 2003, decreasing discounts are given for additional weeks, varying from $5-$25 depending on unit and week number. Since a changeover is skipped, you get a break on rate!
Summary of units by number/name:
#1 = One bedroom cottage, with sun porch and open back porch.
This original cottage has two twin beds with a day bed available on sun porch for a third person.
Capacity: Three people but one/two preferred.
Total size: 735 sq ft. including 160 sq ft via the two porches.
Maximum rate: $532 Cleaning fee: $55
#2 = Two bedroom cottage, with screen porch at entry.
Has double bed in one bedroom and two twin beds in the other.
Capacity: Four people.
Total size: 632 sq ft. including 82 sq ft porch.
Maximum rate: $629 Cleaning fee: $45
#3 = Three bedroom cottage, with screen porch at rear.
Has double bed in one bedroom, two twin beds in one, and bunk beds in the other.
Capacity: Six people.
Total size: 1034 sq ft. including 65 sq ft porch.
Maximum rate: $768 Cleaning fee: $55
#4 = Two bedroom cottage, with screen porch at rear.
Has double bed in one bedroom and two twin beds in the other.
Capacity: Four people.
Total size: 678 sq ft. including 65 sq ft porch.
Maximum rate: $629 Cleaning fee: $45
#5 = Three bedroom cottage, with screen porch at rear.
Has double bed in one bedroom, two twin beds in one, and bunk beds in the other.
Capacity: Six people.
Total size: 1030 sq ft. including 100 sq ft porch.
Maximum rate: $793 (Currently rented for the entire season by one family)
The "Apt" = One bedroom efficiency unit, with two twin beds, combined living/kitchen area, and half-bath. The very private outside shower (near back door) has both hot & cold water. It is the lower half of the owner's cottage.
Capacity: Two people.
Total size: 460 sq ft. Has NO porch but a single hammock and owner's picnic table are available for use.
Maximum rate: $390 Cleaning fee: $35
(A small discount applies when rented in combination with another unit).
(Larger images of these plus interiors are available via Unit Photo Albums page)
(Sketches of cottage layouts and some room dimensions are available on Unit Info page)
Here's some building facts many other sites don't give!
The average bedroom size for units is 9'-4" x 11'-6", which is spacious for cottages built in that timeframe. Living rooms vary in size from 13'-5'' x 15'-6" (#2) to 15'-2'' x 17'-3" (#3) and are similar in other units. Bathrooms average 5'-6" square but do NOT have the water heater in them, unlike some other properties. Kitchens are unique to each unit, but average size is 50 sq ft. Click here for more details about building measurements.
Other important details:
- All rentals are from Friday at 4:30 PM to Friday at 10:30 AM.
- To keep cottages and grounds in better shape: NO pets and NO smoking!
- These cottages are from the 1950's so there are NO telephones, TV, microwaves or A/C...And the pricing reflects this!
However, 1M/384 DSL Wi-Fi IS available near office so some features are modern!
There is more info about the cottages, including customer comments, so please continue there!
For details about how to make a reservation, deposits, balances, mailing address, etc., please see Rental Policies page.