The cottage was flawless, spotless and well maintained with a very enviable position literally your own private steps down to the Sea of Abaco. Dolphins in the morning if you are up early to enjoy coffee on the deck or the stairs to the water, cool off with a dip anytime you like, some beginner kayaking at your leisure, splashing fish at sunset, and views all day long. The hosts were in town and immediately responsive to a minor request for a small table, couldn't have been nicer!
The ONLY reason the location isn't five stars is because you really need a car to get to restaurants, but in exchange for that you get more privacy at night, in a very safe gated neighborhood. One of the neighboring villas is quite close, but the mature landscaping helps with that, and we can't say more because it was unoccupied during our visit.
Recommend a small car if you can get one as the streets and parking in general and at all the villas in the eastern shores is pretty tight. We had a great rental but it was full-size as we had some family to taxi around from the airport to treasure cay with luggage which made parking just a bit tighter still, but not a problem.
The villa has a nicely appointed bathroom with both hand-held and mounted shower heads in the very large standup shower, and there were more towels (including beach towels) than you could use in 4 weeks, which was appreciated. And if you do somehow use them, there is a washer and dryer right in the unit with detergent etc !
Would recommend to any couple looking for a first experience in Marsh Harbour. A bit far from Treasure Cay for any events there, and not recommended to drive between the two at night, but if you can sacrifice a night in Marsh Harbour, it is great to return to Mermaid Cottage after a short visit to the northern part of the island.
For Dining would recommend Da Blue Hole for nice dinner, and the bar upstairs for a drink, sunset, and lighter meal. Colors by the Sea is good for cold beer and local fish steamed in foil with plantains and goat peppers. Up in Treasure Cay on the advice of owners we had lunch at Treasure Sands Club, which was a cool outside club atmosphere with good food, if a bit pricey, but with better service than most too.
Would return if in the area again.
